Trump defends call congratulating Putin

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Newest on President Donald Trump’s name to congratulate Russian President Vladimir Putin on his re-election victory (all occasions native):

three:05 p.m.

President Donald Trump is defending his choice to congratulate Russian President Vladimir Putin on his re-election, saying his predecessor, Barack Obama, did the identical in 2012.

In a Wednesday afternoon tweet, Trump says, “Getting together with Russia (and others) is an efficient factor, not a foul factor.”

It comes as Trump and White Home officers are mentioned to be fuming over a leak of Trump’s briefing supplies for the Tuesday name, wherein aides warned Trump towards congratulating Putin.

Trump says Russia can “assist resolve issues” from North Korea to “the approaching Arms Race.” He provides that President George W. Bush didn’t have the “smarts” to work with Putin, and says Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton “did not have the power or chemistry” with the Russian chief.

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10:30 a.m.

The White Home says it is a “fireable offense and certain unlawful” to leak President Donald Trump’s briefing papers.

The warning got here after a number of information retailers together with The Related Press reported that aides had included a warning in Trump’s briefing papers advising him to not congratulate Russian President Vladimir Putin on his re-election win, however he did so anyway.

The White Home mentioned in an official assertion Wednesday: “If this story is correct, meaning somebody leaked the President’s briefing papers. Leaking such data is a fireable offense and certain unlawful.”

The White Home would not verify that Trump was warned “DO NOT CONGRATULATE” Putin, as a senior administration official informed the AP on situation of anonymity to debate inner issues.

It was unclear whether or not Trump learn the speaking factors ready by his nationwide safety group earlier than Tuesday’s name. Nationwide Safety Adviser H.R. McMaster briefed the president in particular person earlier than the decision.

— By Related Press author Zeke Miller.

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10 a.m.

A senior administration official says President Donald Trump was warned in briefing supplies to chorus from congratulating Russian President Vladimir Putin on his re-election victory, however he did so anyway.

The official informed The Related Press on Wednesday that aides had included a piece in Trump’s briefing supplies for the decision stating in all-caps: “DO NOT CONGRATULATE.”

The official spoke on situation of anonymity to debate inner issues.

The “DO NOT CONGRATULATE” message was first reported Tuesday by The Washington Publish.

It was unclear whether or not Trump, who prefers oral briefings, learn the speaking factors ready by his nationwide safety group earlier than Tuesday’s name. Nationwide Safety Adviser H.R. McMaster briefed the president in particular person earlier than the decision within the White Home residence.

The State Division spokeswoman famous that some individuals have been paid to end up to vote in Russia and opposition leaders have been intimidated or jailed.

— By Related Press author Zeke Miller

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12:20 a.m.

Some Republican lawmakers are criticizing President Donald Trump for calling Russian President Vladimir Putin to congratulate him on his re-election.

White Home press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders famous that President Barack Obama made the same name on the time of Putin’s final electoral victory. Huckabee mentioned, “We do not get to dictate how different international locations function.”

Within the name Trump did not increase Russia’s meddling in U.S. elections or its suspected involvement within the poisoning of a former spy in Britain.